Chapter 5 Living in Bondage

Valentina's POV.

The thought of these bodyguards driving me to work made my breath hitch. It felt awkward and uncomfortable, like I was suffocating.

My husband, Allen, was the coldest man I had ever seen, a total control freak who wouldn't let me be free, even though I never spoke out about his cheating habits.

"We are at your office ma'am," the bodyguard with the deep voice said, interrupting my thoughts.

'What's your name?' I asked, glaring sternly.

"Edward," he replied, seeming more relaxed than his companion. This was unusual, because he was older. I expected him to act differently.

We drove in silence for the next few minutes, with Edward's eyes fixed upon me like a hen watching over his chick.

I expected to feel uncomfortable, yet I found myself at ease.

The car then came to a halt and I looked through the side window. We had arrived at my office. Edward held the door open for me, and I stepped out of the SUV.

Edward informed me that he would remain in the car and the younger bodyguard would accompany me to my office.

I nodded without saying a word, acting as if I didn't care. Although the younger bodyguard was very handsome, he appeared moody.

Despite my office space being a small one, it was very well arranged and decorated, portraying a beautiful appearance.

"Good morning ma" Nora greeted me with a beaming smile.

"Good morning, Nora. How are you today?" I asked, a genuine smile warming my voice.

"I'm fine ma" Nora replied. Curiosity got the better of her as she quickly asked, "Who is he, ma'am?" Her eyes popped out at the husky looking guy behind me.

" That's my bodyguard, courtesy of my husband" I replied, looking at Nora with a fake smile tugged at the end of my lips.

" Your husband?" A familiar voice asked in surprise.

I looked sideways and saw a tall, well-built man with a breathtaking aura.

" Jason, what are you doing here? I asked surprised, almost folding as he smiled at me.

" Can we talk in your office?" He suggested.

"Follow me," I said, pausing to catch my breath.

I caught sight of Nora's peering eyes as I approached my office door. Jason followed closely behind me, keeping a discreet distance.

As we walked into my office, I offered Jason a seat and settled down.

"Do you care for Coffee?" I asked.

" Thanks but I'm okay, you forgot these" he continued as he lifted up the bag in his hands.

"What's that? I asked inquisitively.

" Your clothes, Valentina, I had them dry-cleaned and ironed" He replied with a warm smile.

"Oh thank you," I said, feeling a bit embarrassed. I quickly changed the subject, hoping to shift the conversation in a different direction.

I then asked Jason if he smiled a lot and he laughed about it, replying in the affirmative.

I laughed out loud, his laughter was so contagious that for a moment I forgot about my harsh married life with Allen.

Just about then, a text message popped up on my phone from Allen, coincidentally, at the same time I was thinking about him.

"Come to the family hospital now, my father is sick,' the message read.

The moment I read the message, the smile vanished from my face.

What's the matter? Jason asked, looking concerned.

"I'm sorry but I have to go now. Thanks for dropping my dress off," I said, rushing out of the office.

"I won't be around for the rest of the day, Nora," I said, turning to my assistant as I headed out.

On getting to the parking lot, I didn't find the SUV there or Edward either, rather I met the stoic bodyguard standing before me.

"Where's Edward?" I asked.

"He went to refuel the car, ma'am". He replied.

I was worried that I would be late to the hospital. After waiting for 20 minutes, I was getting more and more anxious.

"Why is he taking so long?" I blurted.

"I don't know, ma'am. He was supposed to be here by now," the bodyguard replied.

"I could take you wherever you want to go".

I knew that voice, it was Jason's.

I looked up and saw him a few steps away from me. I was hesitant about accepting his offer because I didn't want to give Allen the wrong impression.

"Please, ma'am, allow him to take you. I'll go with you. I know that my Boss has asked you to be there as soon as possible. Please, ma'am, let us go now," the bodyguard pleaded.

I looked at Jason's pleading eyes, his look was really convincing, and gave in to his offer to take me to the hospital.

"Okay Jason, Let's go".

Jason's smile lit up as soon as I agreed to let him take me to the hospital. I smiled back at him, feeling relieved that I would be able to get there quickly.

In no time, we were on our way to the hospital, with Jason at the wheel and the bodyguard in the back seat.

There was complete silence and music playing in the sleek Range Rover which came to a halt in front of the hospital.

"Here we are, I'll be here in case you need me" Jason said.

" Thank you," I muttered.

The bodyguard held the door open for me,

"Oh gosh, this bodyguard just won't stay in his place," I thought.

I found my way in the hallway and ran into Allen.

"You're late. Come with me," Allen barked, pulling me along as if I was a child.

"Be on your best behavior my little wife, Don't embarrass me" He spat harshly.

My wrist were hurting but I couldn't free my hands from Allen's grip. When we got to the room where his father was in the special care section of the hospital, he let go of my hands.

Dalia, Allen's sister, looked at me with disgust and smirked.

For the next few minutes I watched Mr Philip, Allen's Dad lay weak on the bed with his eyes closed while Allen's Mom gave me cold looks from time to time.

Allen barely looked at me, his eyes fixed on his phone as he texted continuously, I assumed he was chatting with his mistress.

I felt sorry for my father-In- law as I noticed the bandage on his head. The tension and hostility in the room were so intense that I didn't dare to ask any questions, for fear of making things worse.

Suddenly, the doctor came in and announced that Mr. Philip needed a blood transfusion, but he had a rare blood type that was not available in the blood bank.

" Is any of your family's blood type O+?" The doctor asked.

The room was silent for a while. Allen looked briefly at his mother and sister before he said

" No doctor, why do you ask? "

The doctor took a deep breath and responded

" Your father is in urgent need of blood transfusion and his blood type is rare".

"So doctor what can be done about that?" Allen asked hysterically.

" We'll have to look for a donor as soon as possible". The doctor replied looking worried.

I felt bad for my husband's father as I looked at him on the sick bed, after summoning some courage, I finally spoke up

"I will donate my blood for my father in law, my blood type is O+" .

"Okay then, the nurses will come get you shortly" The doctor said and left.

Allen looked at me with narrowed eyes and left without saying a word. At least I expected a "thank you" from him.

Without warning, my mother-in-law raised her hand and slapped me across the face with a resounding crack.

Tears, hot and salty, streamed down my face as I held my cheek in shock and confusion.

" What did I do?" My mind raced, trying to make sense of my mother in law's sudden anger.